DDO - The end of an era?

On its own it's a nice image, but factor in the story you just told and it becomes a powerful image.

Walt

Thanks Walt and Cekari,    I've relinked to a larger version of the shot.

I share your sentiments about the story.    Reading about it has certainly changed my perception of the university - likely forever.     There is a lot of history and scientific achievements linked to the property.    Here are some links if you are interested.

Wikipedia

Observatory Website

National Post article

Edited by Quietman - 12 July 2008 at 18:11

You did this well and it looks natural. Much of the hdr I see is so overproccessed that it looks very fake and does not appeal to me in the least. You resisted the temptation of going overboard and used hdr to subtly enhance your image. Well done!

As a photograph I like it a lot. As for the story, it's a shame. The University received the Observatory plus 190 acres of forested land as a gift and now wants to sell it to developers for a tidy profit.

Funny thing is, my house is a short 5 minute walk from the observatory and I've never taken any shots there. Your photo has inspired me to get over there while it is still here.

OT ( sorry ) but glad ( if that is the right word ) to know that the UK is not the only place with philistines !

Even more OT but such photographs and stories are something that photography is ideally suited to highlighting - wish there was more of it - well done.

Thanks everyone for your comments on the shot.    The feedback is sincerely appreciated.

Dinostrich and wross, your comments regarding the power of images and wanting more made me think...     I grew up as a typical child of the 60s, exposed to some of the most iconic images of the last century and believing that we all had the power, and the responsibility, to change the world.    I had never really thought of an architectural or landscape image as a powerful tool for social change but it can be.

I share the same passion, as I believe most photographers do, to want to preserve images of the beautiful, and threatened, aspects of our world.    I'm not a member of the astronomical groups involved in this particular cause nor am I a member of the naturalist group involved in this issue.    I do remember the observatory as a beautiful part of our local history.    I am also deeply concerned about the preservation of greenspace and the low value we seem to put on retaining it. <Link to naturalist site.">    Perhaps that's why this issue has caught my interest in particular.

I do believe that it still remains our responsibility, as photographers, to highlight what we feel passionate about.    I agree with you and would love to see more images of the disappearing, or at risk, parts of our beautiful planet.

Thank you.

Edited by Quietman - 13 July 2008 at 16:23

Dinostrich wrote: ... Keep going. ... ( Perhaps time for Quietman not to be so quiet )

Thank's for the encouragement Dinostrich.     I will keep going with this cause.     I feel strongly about it and very disturbed over many aspects of the path this process has taken ...   Post City article and DDO backgrounder.

It's also interesting to see what emotions and discussions this type of images / stories can evoke.     The idea of photographers using their skills to highlight the parts of our world that are at risk would be a good topic for an image thread.     Perhaps an open discussion would be warranted first - as this concept may have some controversial aspects.

Regards,